World's highest, longest glass-bottom bridge to open early 2017

The world's longest glass-bottom bridge is not for the faint of heart.
(Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Tourism Management Co.)

Climbing to the top of a canyon is already pretty terrifying for any traveler with a fear of heights.

But Chinese builders have upped the ante with the world’s longest and highest glass bottom bridge set to open in a few months above the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. A spokesman for the project told FoxNews.com that visitors would likely be welcome to walk across the bridge later this year, though the official opening date has been pushed back to January 2017.

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The Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon in Hunan’s Zhangjiajie National Park is believed to have inspired visuals for James Cameron's epic 2009 film "Avatar,” with its foggy sweeping vistas and craggy green peaks.

The chief architect behind the project is Israeli Haim Dotan, who designed the Expo 2010 Shanghai's Israel Pavilion. China Construction Group began working on the bridge last summer. The walkway is being constructed with 1.9-inch-thick glass panels and features several glass observatories at various sections. It will also allow daring tourists bungee jumping opportunities.

By comparison, the Grand Canyon Skywalk in Arizona is just 69 feet long and hovers about 718 fee above the canyon floor. Canada's Glacier Skywalk in Alberta, which opened last year, extends 115 feet from the cliff and is just under 984 feet tall.

Zhangjiajie bridge officials have said that only 800 guests will be allowed on the walkway at a time to prevent exerting too much pressure on the glass and underlying structure.